PIL Highlighting Shortage of Doctors, Paramedics in J&K

DB expresses serious concern over shortage of Doctors in Jammu Province

22/07/2023

JAMMU, Jul 21: In a significant order, a Division Bench of High Court of J&K and Ladakh ( Jammu Wing ) through virtual mode comprising Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice M.A Chowdhary has expressed its serious concern over the shortage of Medical Officers / Paramedical Staff in Jammu Province and has issued directions to the J&K Government particularly Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department to indicate the steps taken to fill up the large number of vacancies of Medical Officers as well as the non gazetted and class -IV Employees in Jammu Division as well as the Kashmir Division. The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice N.Kotiswar Singh further directed that the aforesaid information be placed on record by way of an affidavit and the said affidavit shall also indicate the steps taken in respect of far flung areas of Districts of Reasi , Poonch, Ramban, Kupwara , Baramulla etc where the vacancies appear to be quite significant.
These significant directions were issued in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL NO.16/2018) filed by RTI Activist Balwinder Singh highlighting acute shortage of Medical officers and Paramedical Staff in various Health Institutions of J&K particularly in remote areas of Jammu Province. The PIL is based upon RTI information wherein it has been disclosed that in several Districts of Jammu Province, there is sixty to seventy percent short fall of Doctors and Paramedical staff.
In respect of the Jammu Division the total sanctioned strength of Medical Officers for all Districts is 1390 posts of which 726 posts are in position and remaining 664 posts are lying vacant. Similarly, in respect of non gazetted and Class-IV Employees in Jammu Division out of sanctioned strength 6868, only 4379 are filled up with the remaining 2489 vacant".
The Division Bench further observed that, " on the other hand in respect of Kashmir Division total sanctioned strength of Medical Officers is 1467, out of which 1395 are in position and only 72 are lying vacant. Similarly, in case of non- gazetted and Class-IV Employees in Kashmir Division, out of sanctioned strength of 8628 posts, 5976 are in position and 2651 are lying vacant. Thus, it indicates a skewed figure in respect of Jammu Division vis-a-viz Kashmir Division".
The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh expressed serious concern over the massive short fall of Doctors /Paramedical Staff in Jammu Province and directed the Health and Medical Education Department to indicate the steps taken to fill up the large number of vacancies in respect of Medical Officers as well as the non- gazetted and class-IV Employees in Jammu Division as well as the Kashmir Division.
The Division Bench also directed Deputy Solicitor General of India Vishal Sharma appearing for U.T of Ladakh to furnish necessary information with regard to health care position in respect of U.T of Ladakh without fail on the next date.
At this stage, Advocate S.S Ahmed submitted that in several far flung / hilly areas of Districts Reasi, Poonch, Ramban, Kupwara and Baramulla , the Health Institutions lack Medical Officers / Paramedical staff and the Public has been left to the mercy of God and in several Primary Health Centres / Dispensaries there is 100% short fall of vacancies and the Govt of J&K has miserably failed to provide Health care to the Rural population. He further submitted that the entire population of J&K deserves better health care at door step.
While parting with the order, the Division Bench took note of the submissions made by Advocate S.S Ahmed and directed that the affidavit to be filed by the Govt of J&K shall also indicate the steps taken in respect of far flung areas of Districts of Reasi, Poonch , Ramban, Kupwara and Baramulla.

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